The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (Chihuahua-Pacific Railway), also known as El Chepe from its
reporting mark
A reporting mark is a code used to identify owners or lessees of rolling stock and other equipment used on certain rail transport networks. The code typically reflects the name or identifying number of the owner, lessee, or operator of the equip ...
CHP, is a major rail line in northwest
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
, linking the
city of Chihuahua to
Los Mochis
Los Mochis () is a coastal city in northern Sinaloa, Mexico. It serves as the municipal seat of the municipality of Ahome. As of the 2010 census, the population was 362,613, which was 61 percent of the municipality's population.
Los Mochis is th ...
and its port,
Topolobampo. It crosses the
Sierra Madre Occidental
The Sierra Madre Occidental is a major mountain range system of the North American Cordillera, that runs northwest–southeast through northwestern and western Mexico, and along the Gulf of California. The Sierra Madre is part of the American C ...
, part of the range that in the United States is called the
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in great-circle distance, straight-line distance from the northernmost part of Western Can ...
. There is no road covering the trajectory.
It runs , traversing the
Copper Canyon, a rugged series of canyons that have led some to call this the most scenic railroad trip on the continent. It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists.
[COPPER CANYON - Chihuahua al Pacífico Train]
/ref>
The tracks pass over 37 bridge
A bridge is a structure built to Span (engineering), span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or railway) without blocking the path underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, whi ...
s and through 86 tunnel
A tunnel is an underground or undersea passageway. It is dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, and is usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ve ...
s, rising as high as above sea level near Divisadero (the continental divide), a popular lookout spot over the canyons.[Chepe.mx]
/ref> Each one-way trip takes roughly 16 hours. The track also crosses over itself to gain elevation.
The headquarters were in turn located in Mexico City, Chihuahua and Los Mochis.
History
The concept of the railroad was officially recognized in 1880, when the president of Mexico
The president of Mexico (), officially the president of the United Mexican States (), is the head of state and head of government of Mexico. Under the Constitution of Mexico, the president heads the executive branch of the federal government and ...
, General Manuel González, granted a rail concession to Albert Kinsey OwenUnited States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, who was seeking to develop a socialist colony in Mexico. The railroad was actually built by Arthur Stilwell
Schedule
In general, two different passenger trains run daily: ''Chepe Regional'', a slower service with more stops for locals, with 15 official stops and more than 50 flag stop
In public transport, a request stop, flag stop, or whistle stop is a bus stop, stop or train station, station at which buses or trains, respectively, stop only on request; that is, only if there are passengers or freight to be picked up or drop ...
s at which boardings or disembarkations can be made at passenger request, and the other a luxury, ''Chepe Express'', direct service for tourists, which is faster and more expensive.La Entrada al Pacifico
LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second most populous city in the United States of America.
La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* La (musical note), or A, the sixth note
*"L.A.", a song by Elliott Smi ...
.
On its way from Los Mochis
Los Mochis () is a coastal city in northern Sinaloa, Mexico. It serves as the municipal seat of the municipality of Ahome. As of the 2010 census, the population was 362,613, which was 61 percent of the municipality's population.
Los Mochis is th ...
to Chihuahua it runs through El Fuerte, Temoris, Bahuichivo, Posada Barrancas, Divisadero, and Creel, among others.
See also
* La Entrada al Pacífico
La Entrada al Pacífico is a trade corridor designated as "Trade Corridor 56" by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. The corridor is an international project between Mexico and the United States as a route from the Pacific Ocean ...
* List of Mexican railroads
* List of named passenger trains of Mexico
References
Further reading
*
External links
* �
El Chepe (chepe.mx)
* �
El Chepe (chepe.com.mx)
: Mexican railroad discussion and study group
How to Visit Copper Canyon by Train
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico
North America Railway Hall of Fame
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chihuahua al Pacifico
Heritage railways in Mexico
Transportation in Chihuahua (state)
Transportation in Sinaloa
Named passenger trains of Mexico
Tourist attractions in Chihuahua (state)
Tourist attractions in Sinaloa
Railway companies established in 1880
1880 establishments in Mexico
Railway lines opened in 1900
Railway companies disestablished in 1990
Defunct railway companies of Mexico
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México
Sierra Madre Occidental